The utilization of polymeric materials and their optimization for high performance applications requires a detailed understanding of their degradation sensitivities, and the various features affecting durability. This book provides an overview of the current trends in this research field. Topics are the latest concepts related to material lifetime prediction methodologies, new insight into degradation mechanisms in radiation environments, and how the knowledge of degradation processes can be applied to the design of materials with improved performance. Similarly of interest are appropriate analytical characterization techniques that are fundamental to all areas of polymer degradation and optimization studies. This book discusses the overlapping performance interests in a range of existing and developing applications. The audience will be polymer chemists and material engineers dealing with polymer design, testing and durability issues. The market will range from academia, to large research institutes and industry.